Kaga Museum Guide

A variety of museums are spread out across Kaga Onsen. They include museums dedicated to the local handicrafts, commerce and history, as well as those about more whimsical subjects. Below is a selection of some of the museums found in the area:

Arts and Crafts

Kutaniyaki Art Museum

The Kutaniyaki Museum is an art museum displaying collections of Kutaniyaki pottery, a famous style of pottery characterized by the use of green, purple, yellow, red and blue glazes, which developed during the Edo Period.

Kutaniyaki Exhibition Hall

Just outside central Yamashiro Onsen, served by Can BusHours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)Closed: Tuesdays, December 31 to January 1Admission: 310 yenEnglish: None

Located just outside central Yamashiro Onsen, this pottery museum displays a variety of antique and modern kutaniyaki pieces as well as the ruins of a large, multi leveled kiln from the Edo Period. Hands-on workshops are offered as well.

Rosanjin's Hut Iroha

Central Yamashiro Onsen, served by Can BusHours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)Closed: Wednesdays (except for holidays)Admission: 500 yenEnglish: None

Rosanjin, one of Japan's most famous ceramicists, lived in Yamashiro Onsen for a short period of his life. This is his restored former residence with a small attached museum displaying some of his work.

History and Commerce

Kitamae Ship Museum

Near Hashidate Port, served by Can BusHours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)Closed: No closing daysAdmission: 310 yenEnglish: None

Hashidate Port near Kaga Onsen served as a stop along the shipping trade route along the Sea of Japan coast during the Edo Period. Housed in a large former residence of a ship builder, this museum is devoted to the ships built in Hashidate and to the trade route they were employed on.

Airport and Aviation Plaza

Across the street from Komatsu AirportHours: 9:00 to 17:00Closed: December 29 to January 3Admission: FreeEnglish: Minimal

The Airport and Aviation Plaza is a free aviation museum just across the street from Komatsu Airport. It has an interesting selection of decommissioned aircraft in its enclosed hanger as well as flight simulators, models and other exhibits.

Motorcar Museum of Japan

Near Awazu Onsen, served by Can BusHours: 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:30 from December to March)Admission ends 30 minutes before closingClosed: December 26 to 31Admission: 1000 yenEnglish: Minimal

The Motorcar Museum of Japan has an impressive display of over 500 cars, trucks and motorcycles from Japan and around the world, including many vintage models. The museum also has a funny (and functional) "toilets from around the world" display.

Others

Museum of Snow and Ice

Near central Katayamazu Onsen, the snow and ice museum displays the work and equipment of Nakayama Ukichiro, a local scientist who devoted his life to the study of snow crystals. The museum also offers interesting hands on activities and experiments.

Matsui Hideki Baseball Museum

10 minutes by taxi from Komatsu StationHours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:50)Closed: Tuesdays, December 31 to January 6, April 29 to May 5 and August 13 to 16Admission: 300 yenEnglish: Good

The Matsui Hideki Baseball Museum is an interesting museum displaying the life and career of Matsui Hideki, a native of the Kaga Onsen region and one of Japan's most successful baseball players. A hands on section allows visitors to handle his glove, bat and other equipment.

Ishikawa Insect Museum

20 minute walk from Tsurugi StationHours: 9:30 to 17:00 (until 16:30 Nov to Mar)Closed: Tuesdays (or the next day if Tues is a holiday), Dec 29 to Jan 1Admission: 410 yenEnglish: Minimal

The well designed Ishikawa Insect Museum provides visitors with a variety of live exhibits as well as mounted insects from around the world. The museum includes a beautifully done butterfly house and hands on experiences with living insects.